would you consider switching jobs while TTC?

ohiostategal · January 2010

I never thought before that I would consider switching jobs while TTC. However, now that I know this is taking much longer than I ever anticipated, I feel like I can't just put my life on hold. I like where I am at but my job here might change making me want to look elsewhere. This came up today because a possible job opportunity came up that I had to react to quickly and I sent my resume. No clue if I have a shot at it or not, but it just got me thinking about how bad it might be to switch jobs with the possible chance of getting pg soon thereafter. I am an atty and it is hard to have someone else cover for you in your cases anyway, much less soon after switching firms. Would you all hesitate in switching jobs right now if the opportunity presented itself? Also I work for small firms so the normal issues of STD and FMLA do not apply to me.

c0debabe · January 2010

Definitely consider it! Once you are offered the job, you can take a look at the firm's sick/vacation leave and see if it will work for you. If not, you can negotiate something that will or decide not to take the job.

IF sucks, but we have to keep living our lives.

GenRN45 · January 2010

I work in a very high stress environment, as an ER nurse. Additionally, our management team... Well, I can't say anything nice. I found out the other day that while I've been out with the IVF (they made me take FMLA) they've discussed what is going on with me at the nurses station with other staff.

I started sending out resumes on Saturday, before I even got my BFN.

so, yes, if the opportunity presented itself, I would leave, in a heartbeat. We decided the lowered stress level during this next cycle might be worth the risk of getting pg while at a job for a short time.

PinkHope · January 2010

This is something that has affected me majorly. I work from home at the moment at a very stressful job that I am SO TIRED OF. I get NO time off...ever.

I used to be a teacher and I miss it a LOT. Over the summer I got an offer for my dream job at my favorite school, and I turned it down. Why? I don't know, I thought I'd be pregnant soon and would have to leave the year early, and I thought it would look bad in a new school to do that. I also realized with all the treatments and appointments, I'd have to be late to school a lot, also not cool when you're new.

So I turned it down, and of course, not PG yet, and I regret it almost every day.

So I agree with PP, don't put your life on hold! I basically did and there's no turning back now...depressing.

sescms2004 · January 2010

Yes, I did this. We had been TTC for about 8 mos. and I was in a job where I was miserable and my stress was through the roof. I had a lot of anxiety about changing jobs - would the insurance be as good? would I be able to take off for appts? what if I got pg right away, would i feel guilty?

I made the move and it was the BEST thing I've done for myself in YEARS. Even after I changed jobs, it took us 2 more years to get to where we are now (cautious BFP). By staying in my old job, I was only hurting our chances of success with all the stress I was under. I have never for a minute regretted changing jobs. Yes, it's hard at first, when you have a new boss, and you're trying to discretely schedule appts and such. I never revealed my IF to anyone here at work. I just tried to schedule my appts around lunch time when it wouldn't be so obvious, but if someone did ask, I would just say I was having some routine labs done or something.

Bottom line, is you have to live your life, and you can't let IF control you and all your decisions. Do what's best for you and everything will work itself out Good luck!

jebuell · January 2010

I definitely would! A girl on my local actually changed jobs WHILE pregnant. You need to do what is best for you and your family in the long run. Most employers are understanding about pregnancy and mat leave. Especially since temps are easier to find then ever because of the current unemployment rates.

sarahandeddiejune212008 · January 2010

If the insurance coverage was the same or better I would switch. I have a friend who started out our first year pg and it was no big deal. I think most employers are pretty understanding about pregnancy.

mrshoppy_1231 · January 2010

I am going to be looking for a new job this year regardless of what happens with IF and TTC. My job here is flexible which is why I've stayed so long but I can't handle it anymore. I run an office and it just doesn't challenge me anymore. I don't know what I want to do but I know it's not this! Maybe a new job would have insurance coverage for IVF...?

jcombs · January 2010

I'm an attorney and I did it! In fact I did it in the midst of an IVF cycle. I went from being a solo practioner to working for the Court but the big bonus was I got infertility coverage with the new job (plus sick days and vacation which I didn't get before). It was a great decision for me.

wiscgirl95 · January 2010

I would consider it because like you, I feel like I can't put my life on hold forever. I was offered a job last January and my response to the offer would have been just at the end of my 2WW so I was all prepared to negotiate maternity leave and STD options as part of my acceptance. I ultimately decided not to take the job for other reasons. I feel any detail of compensation or benefits is negotiable if they want you bad enough. Good luck!

Rachael07.07.07 · January 2010

I definitely would - but in the last 2 + yrs we've moved out of state and I've been laid off twice. So having been laid off both times made me re-think my industry (media advertising) and that has led me to discover that I don't want to be in anything advertising/marketing/sales/biz related anymore. So I'm back in school while working full time. Good luck with whatever you choose!

albjag · January 2010

Yes. I'm looking for a new job as I got laid off. Never would've left my old job voluntarily- I loved it.

negrilbride07 · January 2010

I agree that you should go for it. You can't put the other aspects of your life on hold while going through IF. Your professional happiness is extremely important.

Good luck with your decision.

katieranck2202 · January 2010

I did that about 2 years ago. I had just done three active cycles with my RE and I was miserable at my job. My DH saw it and said that I needed to do something, so by the time I started looking and started a new job took about 3 months so we didn't do any medicated cycles, but we never stopped TTC. We even moved two states away in the process. It was probably the best thing I could do for my health, staying sane and being productive at work.

It was important to us that I had a stable job since I am the breadwinner and will continue to work once we have kids (DH will stay home).

negrilbride07 · January 2010

GenRN45:
I work in a very high stress environment, as an ER nurse. Additionally, our management team... Well, I can't say anything nice. I found out the other day that while I've been out with the IVF (they made me take FMLA) they've discussed what is going on with me at the nurses station with other staff.

I started sending out resumes on Saturday, before I even got my BFN.

so, yes, if the opportunity presented itself, I would leave, in a heartbeat. We decided the lowered stress level during this next cycle might be worth the risk of getting pg while at a job for a short time.

That is disgusting! Is there anyone you can report them to? Can you lodge a complaint or are you just going to leave it alone?

GenRN45 · January 2010

negrilbride07:
GenRN45:
I work in a very high stress environment, as an ER nurse. Additionally, our management team... Well, I can't say anything nice. I found out the other day that while I've been out with the IVF (they made me take FMLA) they've discussed what is going on with me at the nurses station with other staff.

I started sending out resumes on Saturday, before I even got my BFN.

so, yes, if the opportunity presented itself, I would leave, in a heartbeat. We decided the lowered stress level during this next cycle might be worth the risk of getting pg while at a job for a short time.

That is disgusting! Is there anyone you can report them to? Can you lodge a complaint or are you just going to leave it alone?

there's nothing I can do about it right now without retaliation. As soon as I find something new, i'm marching my ass to HR. you better believe I won't feel bad about any time off I need for my next cycle now.

simplegirl226 · January 2010

Yes I would. I was laid off in March and I am trying to find a job and the fact that we are going through IUI's has not stopped me from looking. You never know when its going to happen and its not good to just wait around. Take every opportunity you get!!! Good luck!

katerena · January 2010

I not only switched jobs, but we moved across the country. It was the very very very best thing for us. Not just because of the way the timing worked out for everything I got almost 4 months off work, but because it was important for us to continue with our life instead of continuing to put everything on hold all the time.

Good luck whatever you decide!!

ohiostategal · January 2010

Alright you ladies made me feel much better. I was starting to feel anxious about it, but you are right that I can just see what is offered if anything. Thanks ladies. I had always just planned our my "timeline" in my head where I worked somewhere for over a year before getting pregnant. I guess since nothing else is going according to schedule, why should this!

kthappy76 · January 2010

I just recently switched jobs after TTC for one year. I had originally moved to my old job thinking that's where I would want to be when I had my kids. But as we know things don't always go as we plan... I decided that it was best for me and worried that my unhappiness in my old job was not helping us while we were TTC. Make sure you get as much info on leave/insurance options before you accept, as this can make a big difference. Best of luck!

JM1977 · January 2010

Go for it! Good luck! Yes

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